Simplest Raita Ever

Raita cools the palette and hence is often paired with spicy dishes like Biryani or Pulao.
It is mostly yogurt or cultured milk (Kefir) with some vegetables or herbs or just chaat masala.

I made it in the following way and it was very tasty and so simple to make:
o 1 Tomato diced
o about 5 - 10 mint leaves
o 1/4 cup of cilantro
o 1-2 cups of yogurt or kefir
o salt as needed

Mix these. Thats it!

Mushroom Pulao

I made this recipe adapted from:
http://valar-myblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/mushroom-pulao.html
and it came out well. It is quick and easy to make.

Ingredients
Mushrooms - 1 packet of sliced mushrooms from the megamart
Basamti Rice - 2 cups
Cinnamon - 1 stick
Cloves - 3

Onion , chopped - 1
Salt to taste
Ghee or oil - little

For the Ground masala
Garlic - 6 pods (optional)
Ginger - 1" piece
Green chillies - 3 (5 if you want it spicy)
Fennel seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper Corns - 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
Cardamom - 4
Mint leaves - few
Coriander leaves - few

o Soak Basmati Rice for 10 mins
o Grind the above masala ingredients. Set aside
o Cook Rice with cinnamon and cloves and a tsp of butter in rice cooker with 4 cups of water.
o Saute onions with 1 tbsp oil or butter. When it caramelizes add ground masala and leave for 2 mins until the water in masala evaporates. Then add mushrooms and cook for 5 mins.
o Then add cooked basmati rice and gently mix all ingredients.
o Garnish with cashews fried in butter or ghee.